Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Link to further information in the Council’s Constitution

There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 9 September 2025 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

To answer questions submitted by citizens on the Council or its services.

There were no citizens’ questions.

To answer questions submitted by Opposition Group Leaders on items on the agenda.

Question from Councillor J Walker to Councillor J Wheeler

“Very recently, the England Visually Impaired Women's Cricket Team were forced to withdraw from the World Cup in India this November after being denied funding by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), despite the men's team receiving support. I raise this issue with particular concern, as one of the team members is both a resident and colleague in my ward.

In light of this, can this Cabinet agree tonight to formally express our support for the women's visually impaired team by including them in the list referenced in section 4.9 of tonight's report? This would allow us, as a local authority, to use our platform to advocate for fair and inclusive funding from the ECB for grassroots women's and disability sport.”

Councillor Wheeler advised that the ECB website stated that the England Visually Impaired Women's Cricket Team had withdrawn from the event due to visa and health issues, as they secured funding through donors, and he had no evidence to dispute that. However, he completely agreed that the Council should express its full support for the team, and all Rushcliffe residents that represented the country. He advised that the list of teams referenced in the report had been drawn up by Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club (NCCC), and the Council would continue to encourage more teams to use the park and enjoy the facilities.

Councillor Walker asked a supplementary question, if this would mean that the team would not be added to the list in the report.

Councillor Wheeler reiterated that it was not a decision that the Council could make, but going forward the Council would be happy to work with both NCCC and the team to support them.

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               supports the pre-publication of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS); and

b)               supports Nottinghamshire County Council publishing the LNRS.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Councillor Inglis, presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods, detailing the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Councillor Inglis referred to establishment of the 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS), supporting nature and wildlife, and benefitting people by allowing them to enjoy nature. Cabinet noted that Nottinghamshire County Council was formally appointed as the Responsible Authority for the LNRS on 26 June 2023. Councillor Inglis referred to paragraph 5.3 of the report, which detailed how the LNRS was intended to guide action to support nature across the county and that Rushcliffe had supported the County Council by serving on various working groups.

Councillor Inglis confirmed that a draft formal consultation with the supporting authorities had been undertaken during March and April, followed by a six-week public consultation, and it had been endorsed by the Communities Scrutiny Group. 44 amendments came forward from the consultation, 16 of those by residents from Rushcliffe, showing how passionate local residents were to be involved.

Councillor Inglis advised that the report was being considered to allow any objections to be raised prior to the publication of the Strategy in November. However, given the considerable work already undertaken by officers, he felt that it would be ungracious to raise any objection to the completed publication, which would replace the 2003 and 2020 strategies.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan welcomed the pre-publication of the LNRS and acknowledged the hard work of officers, working with partners to bring it to fruition. Nature across the Borough was depleted and given continued house building it was even more important to protect and enhance the local environment, as maintaining and improving those green spaces had a positive impact on residents’ health and wellbeing. She hoped that going forward resources would be found to help deliver elements of the Strategy and that the Council would continue to work hard to improve the natural environment of the Borough. Councillor Brennan stated that the current LNRS website was not very accessible and difficult to navigate, and she asked that the County Council review the website to improve its accessibility going forward.      

Councillor Upton endorsed the Strategy and stated that he particularly liked the concept of wildlife corridors.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               supports the pre-publication of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS); and

b)               supports Nottinghamshire County Council publishing the LNRS.

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               agrees in principle to the grant of a long-term lease (25 years) to Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club for the West Park cricket facilities;

b)               instructs the Director – Development and Economic Growth to carry out the necessary advertisement requirements pursuant to s123 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 and finalise detailed heads of terms for the proposed lease; and

c)               requests the West Bridgford Special Expenses and Community Infrastructure Levy Group, accordingly as part of the budget process, to review the implication of this report relating to the transfer of West Park from the West Bridgford Special Expense area to the General Fund, and it be recommended with the Medium Term Financial Strategy at Full Council.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development, Councillor J Wheeler, presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods, outlining a potential strategic growth opportunity at West Park.

Councillor Wheeler referred to an addendum report circulated after the agenda had been published, which contained an additional recommendation c) and the information supporting it.

Councillor Wheeler referred to this fantastic opportunity to team up with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club (NCCC) to grow women’s and girls’ cricket, along with many other groups. Under the proposed lease, residents and community groups would still have access to the various facilities and continued to be welcomed. Councillor Wheeler stated that the proposal would allow women’s and girls’ cricket to have a home, to continue to grow and build on their success, with NCCC committed to invest in this facility, which was welcomed.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Virdi referred to the excellent potential strategic growth opportunities related to this proposal, which was in line with the Council’s Leisure Strategy. Whilst enabling and hosting women and girls’ cricket it was also enabling a wider range of opportunities for all. This investment ensured that it was not only delivering the NCCC and ECB strategies but the Council’s objectives, whilst mitigating the Council’s own financial exposure. Councillor Virdi advised that the proposal would also deliver increased use of the facility and provide long term financial sustainability.      

The Leader agreed that this was an important and exciting opportunity.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

a)               agrees in principle to the grant of a long-term lease (25 years) to Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club for the West Park cricket facilities;

b)               instructs the Director – Development and Economic Growth to carry out the necessary advertisement requirements pursuant to s123 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 and finalise detailed heads of terms for the proposed lease; and

c)               requests the West Bridgford Special Expenses and Community Infrastructure Levy Group, accordingly as part of the budget process, to review the implication of this report relating to the transfer of West Park from the West Bridgford Special Expense area to the General Fund, and it be recommended with the Medium Term Financial Strategy at Full Council.